5 Habits You Can Start This Second to Live a Happier Life

Here on Inc.com and across the internet, advice on how to be happier is all the rage. And there’s no secret as to why—you can build a world-beating career or business, but if you’re miserable, it won’t count for much in the end. Plus, there’s plenty of evidence that being happy isn’t really a consequence of success, but rather a cause of it.

All of which explains the explosion in advice and tips on how to be happier (there are even tons of apps offering to help you boost your mood). But all this happiness advice—helpful and well meant as it is—can be a bit overwhelming. Meditation? More social connection? A gratitude practice? How can you keep all these sensible ideas straight and find out which ones are most applicable to you?

1. Choose Happiness

It sounds simple, but when it comes to happiness, it’s easy to forget that, generally, you don’t get what you don’t strive for. Therefore, Marc and Angel advise readers to make their own well-being a priority.

“If you don’t value yourself, look out for yourself, and stick up for yourself, you’re sabotaging yourself. Remember, it is possible to take care of your own needs while simultaneously caring for those around you,” they remind the super busy and chronically over-committed.

2. Learn to Love Your Mistakes

No one likes being wrong or screwing up, but that doesn’t mean mistakes are worthless or simply a reason to beat yourself up. “Mistakes are OK; they’re the stepping stones of progress. If you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough and you’re not learning. Take risks, stumble, fall, and then get up and try again,” urges the post.

3. Be Polite...to Yourself

This one might sound a little weird at first (should you start saying “please” and “thank you” to yourself?), but your inner voice matters—a lot. “If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend? The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others,” Marc and Angel explain.

4. Stop Waiting to Be Ready

There may be better and worse times to do something, but there’s no perfect time, ever. Stop waiting around for ultimate readiness, because it’s not coming. Or as the list puts it: “You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges.”

5. Become a Cheerleader

Pompoms are not required, but being genuinely and openly happy for others’ successes is likely to make not only them, but also you, happier. “Start noticing what you like about others and tell them. Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around you are leads to good places—productive, fulfilling, peaceful places. So be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their victories,” instructs the list.

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Inc.com is where you can find everything you need to know to start and grow your business now. Inc.com is replete with small business ideas, information, and inspiration, as well as practical advice from those who have done it before.